Risk of eating disorders in university students: an international study in Hungary, Poland and Ukraine

Weight biases, body image and obesity risk knowledge in the groups of nursing students from Poland and Nigeria

Each population may have its own specific characteristics and cultural differences, which can affect perceptions of one's body, obesity, and the development of weight-related biases. The goal of our study is to (I) examine weight biases among incoming nursing students from two distinct cultures; (II) determine whether the cultural differences may be reflected in the levels of fat phobia, attitudes, and behaviors related to overweight and obesity; (III) adapt the Fat Phobia Scale and translate it into Polish. The study includes 119 Nigerian students and 120 Polish students. The following tools are used-ORK-10, ATOP, BAOP, BES and FPh. The results indicates that Nigerian students have significantly (p < 0.01) less knowledge about the risks associated with overweight and obesity. In contrast, they have a significantly (p < 0.01) more positive body image than the Polish students. Among Nigerian students, men have more positive body image in comparison to women (p = 0.01). An inverse relationship is observed in the group of Polish students, among whom women had a more positive body image than men did (p = 0.01). There are no statistically significant differences in fatphobic attitudes among the studied groups. It has been observed, that culture may be related to weight biases.

Dynamics of indicators of functional state and physical development of students in the process of high-intensity interval training

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) based on the CrossFit system on the level of students' functional state and physical development.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: The research involved 36 male students who were engaged in HIIT during their studies. Indicators of students' functional state and physical development after 1 and 3 years of HIIT were studied. The functional state was assessed by indicators of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and physical development - by physical education tests.

RESULTS

Results: It has been found that HIIT has a positive effect on the indicators of the functional state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body and the physical development of students. After three years of HIIT sessions, students significantly improved their heart rate, vital capacity of the lungs, Stange test, Genchi test, duration of recovery heart rate, as well as the level of development of speed qualities, strength qualities, endurance and flexibility.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: It has been established that the sports-oriented form of organization of physical education training sessions with the use of HIIT based on the CrossFit system is quite effective in improving the indicators of the functional state and physical development of students. A high level of these indicators will help to improve students' health, improve their well-being, and increase the effectiveness of their educational and, in the future, professional activities.

Risk factors for eating disorders among Chinese and international university students: a comparative cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) and their association with socio-demographic and behavioural factors among university students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study among university students (Chinese and international) in Nanjing, China. We collected the data from 877 students, of which 811 were eligible for this study. They submitted a self-administered questionnaire (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6 (EDE-Q6) related to socio-demographic, health variables and lifestyle factors. Data were assessed with the help of SPSS software.

RESULTS

A total of 401 Chinese and 410 international university students (49.44% vs. 50.55%) participated in this study. Binary logistic regression showed that young female adults of 18~25 years of age had more risk of developing eating disorders. Higher body mass index (BMI), such as overweight and obesity, were more influential risk factors (p < 0.001) for eating disorders. The significant risks (p < 0.001) EDs were found in students who were athletes, physically active, and involved in various extra-curricular activities. Alcohol and smoking were significant risk factors associated with eating disorders.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated higher risks of eating disorders followed by objective binge eating and compensatory behaviour. In this scenario, early assessment and treatment are necessary to reduce the burden of eating disorders and to promote good nutritional practices among university students.

Worldwide prevalence of DSM-5 eating disorders among young people

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders) affect young people worldwide. This narrative review summarizes key studies conducted on the prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) eating disorders among young people in 2013-22.

RECENT FINDINGS

In Western settings, a substantial proportion of young people have reported an eating disorder. Overall, 5.5--17.9% of young women and 0.6-2.4% of young men have experienced a DSM-5 eating disorder by early adulthood. Lifetime DSM-5 anorexia nervosa was reported by 0.8-6.3% of women and 0.1-0.3% of men, bulimia nervosa by 0.8-2.6% of women and 0.1-0.2% of men, binge eating disorder by 0.6-6.1% of women and 0.3-0.7% of men, other specified feeding or eating disorders by 0.6-11.5% of women and 0.2-0.3% of men, and unspecified feeding or eating disorders 0.2-4.7% of women and 0-1.6% of men. Gender and sexual minorities were at particularly high risk. Emerging studies from Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America show similar high prevalences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of eating disorders has still increased.

SUMMARY

Eating disorders are a global health concern among young people. Improved detection, management, and prevention methods are urgently needed.

Physical fitness and disordered eating among adolescents: Results from the EHDLA study

The aim of this study was to examine the association between a comprehensive spectrum of physical fitness components and disordered eating symptoms in a sample of Spanish adolescents. This cross-sectional study analysed a representative sample of 741 adolescents (55.1% girls) from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) study (Valle de Ricote, Region of Murcia, Spain). Objective physical fitness (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, upper body strength, lower body strength, speed-agility, and flexibility) was assesed by the ALPHA-FIT Test Battery for a young population. Disordered eating symptoms were assessed with the Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food (SCOFF) questionnaire. An incremental inverse association was found in participants with low cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.56-3.50), low handgrip strength (OR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.33-2.97), low lower body strength (OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.28-2.86), low speed-agility (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.17-2.62), and low global physical fitness (OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.37-3.01) and disordered eating symptoms, compared to participants with a high level of each of these physical fitness components. Our study provides evidence that, in Spanish adolescents, disordered eating symptoms are inversely associated with a comprehensive set of physical fitness components. Hence, it could be relevant to promote physical fitness, e.g., by a multifactorial approach, since it seems to be related to lower disordered eating symptoms in adolescents.

Adolescent Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire: Investigating Psychometric Properties in Iranian Female Students

Objectives

Mental Health Literacy (MHL) is an important factor in promoting mental health. Assessing this structure is required for early recognition and intervention in mental health problems. To date, there was no tool to assess it among Iranian adolescents, so this study was aimed at examining the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Adolescent Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (AMHLQ) among Iranian female students.

Method

The study instrument was a Persian version of the AMHLQ prepared through a translation and back-translation process. In this cross-sectional study, 275 female students completed the AMHLQ, and the Adolescent Strengths, and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Results

Findings of content, construct validity tests, Cronbach's alpha, and split-half coefficient demonstrated that the AMHLQ had satisfactory validity and suitable reliability. The exploratory factor analysis showed four dimensions of the AMHLQ: (1) knowledge of mental health problems (α = 0.89); (2) erroneous beliefs/stereotypes (α = 0.89); (3) help-seeking and first aid skills (α = 0.86); and (4) self-help strategies (α = 0.74).

Conclusion

The findings showed that the tool was confirmed by questions and subscales, and this questionnaire was a valid and reliable tool in assessing level differences of MHL and in determining the impact of programs designed to improve MHL in Iranian female adolescents.